his family gave Rodriguez comfort and a feeling of safety.

             that was not felt outside of his home. .

             Rodriguez was forced to leave that comfort and safety.

             every morning though once he began attending school. The.

             author describes hearing the cold, harsh sounds of the .

             English language and wishing that his teachers would welcome.

             him in Spanish, instead. The author explains that, as a.

             child, he regarded Spanish as his own personal language. In.

             his autobiography, at the young age of seven, he did not see .

             himself as an American citizen like the other children in.

             his class, and this discouraged him from readily learning.

             English. .

             Ultimately, Rodriguez did learn to speak the public .

             language. Some of the teachers at Rodriguez"s school were.

             concerned with his and his siblings unresponsiveness in.

             class and their unwillingness to speak English. They spoke.

             with his parents and suggested that speaking English at home.

             would make an easier transition for the children rather than.

             switching back and forth. It was not until later in his life.

             that Rodriguez realized that his teachers" actions were ones.

             to appreciate.

             The conflict between speaking Spanish and speaking.

             English had come to a head. No longer did Rodriguez hear.

             the warm sounds of Spanish fill his house. Speaking.

             English began to separate his family. As he and his.

             siblings began speaking more and more English outside of the .

             home, primarily at school, the parents had a more difficult.

             time communicating with their children and, therefore,.

             conversations became strained and less frequent. While his.

             home life considerably changed, Rodriguez"s life at school.

             became drastically different. .

             Previously reserved and unsure, Rodriguez became more.

             confident. Speaking English made him more vocal in class.

             and he had an easier time associating with the other .

             children. Back at home, his mother started taking a more .

             active role in the neighborhood. Rodriguez"s father,.

             however, became much more reserved around the family.